Political FYI

Published 10:38 pm Thursday, April 15, 2010

Hobbs to hold town hall meetings

MILL CREEK — State Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, plans to host two community meetings Saturday to discuss the state budget, taxes, education reform and other issues considered by the state Legislature.

The first is at 10 a.m. in the council chambers at Mill Creek City Hall, 15728 Main St. in Mill Creek.

At noon, Hobbs will hold the second town hall in the library of Cavelero Mid High, 8220 24th Street SE.

Both sessions are scheduled to last one hour.

For information, call 360-786-7686.

2nd GOP challenger in Senate race

EVERETT — Republican Ryan Ferrie has announced his candidacy for the state Senate seat in the 44th District this week.

He joins fellow Republican Dave Schmidt in the race against Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, who is seeking a second term. The district encompasses Lake Stevens, Mill Creek and a portion of Everett.

Ferrie, who owns A&R Insurance and Financial Services in Lynnwood, is making his first run for a state legislative seat.

Ferrie will hold a campaign kick-off event at 7 p.m. Wed. April 28 at Shawn O’Donnell’s restaurant, 122 128th Street SE. in south Everett.

For information, go to http://ryanferrie.com.

Eyman hopes to roll back tax increases

Initiative activist Tim Eyman wants voters to roll back several of the tax increases that were just approved by the state Legislature.

Majority Democrats adjourned their special session early Tuesday morning. One of their biggest actions was a bill that raises roughly $800 million for the state budget, mostly through a long list of tax increases.

But Eyman has already filed several draft initiatives that would erase higher taxes on beer, soft drinks, candy, bottled water, cigarettes and service businesses.

Each of those initiatives would have to get more than 240,000 valid petition signatures by this summer to make the November ballot.

Herald staff and Associated Press